Seat Track Mechanism Lock Plate Nested Lever

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing seat track mechanisms for vehicles lack a reliable and efficient method to lock and unlock the axial movement of the upper track with respect to the lower track, which is essential for adjusting the seating position and recline functionality.

Innovation Solution

A seat track mechanism that includes a lower track, an upper track, a lever, a retainer bracket, and a track locking mechanism with a lock plate that can be moved between locked and unlocked positions, allowing the upper track to slide along the lower track, and a latch arm that engages with the retainer bracket to hold the lever in a position that either inhibits or permits axial movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a track locking mechanism is added to enable reliable locking and unlocking of axial movement, then the reliability of seat position adjustment is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of seat position adjustmentVSAvoidcomplexity of track mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lock plate is nested within the track structure, with the lever mechanism integrated into the same assembly. The latch arm is received within a slot in the retainer bracket, creating a compact nested arrangement that provides reliable locking without adding significant external complexity to the overall device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism combines multiple functions into a single integrated assembly: the lock plate provides both the locking surface and the structural connection between upper and lower tracks, while the lever simultaneously acts as both a manual actuator and a mechanical linkage to move the lock plate between locked and unlocked positions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If a manual lever mechanism is used to actuate the lock plate, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of unlocking seat positionVSAvoidcomplexity of locking mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lever mechanism utilizes the user's manual input force directly to actuate the locking mechanism without requiring additional power sources, actuators, or control systems. The mechanical linkage automatically translates the lever's rotational movement into linear movement of the lock plate, providing self-contained operation that is simple to use but would require complex control systems if automated

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a complex motorized or electronically controlled mechanism to achieve locking, the invention inverts the approach by using a simple manual lever that directly manipulates the lock plate through pure mechanical advantage, achieving ease of operation through mechanical simplicity rather than technological complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS11440441B2Seat track mechanism

Publication Date: 2022.09.13 LEAR CORP

AI summary

A seat track mechanism for a vehicle seat. The seat track mechanism may include an upper track, a lower track, a lever, and a retainer bracket. The lever may be pivotable between a first position and a second position and may have a latch arm. The retainer bracket may define a slot that may receive the latch arm to hold the lever in the second position.